My top sporting events of the year

From the Caxton Joburg north sports editor:

Unsurprisingly, there was not much to choose from when I considered what my favourite sporting events were for the year, after the coronavirus and ensuing lockdown postponed, cut-short or cancelled many of the exciting events I was looking forward to.

The Arnold Classic Africa, Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge, St Stithians Easter Festival, Juma and Jura, and Nissan Easter Festival are popular sporting events in Joburg that did not feature in 2020.

Those sporting events that were not held before 27 March were subjected to strict Covid-19 protocols, which certainly justified, often dampened proceedings and did not allow for many spectators, if any.

Many of the major running or cycling events were either cancelled outright or made virtual for people to do in their neighbourhoods and log their time online.

This is not to say the year did not have its highlights for sports journalists. Home challenges saw people run hundreds of kilometres in circles in their gardens or small rooms, or cycle up ‘Mount Everest’ on their bike trainers.

In terms of events, I would have to say that the finals of the Last Man Stands Saturday 1 and 2 Leagues were highlights for me this year.

The leagues were meant to finish in April but the lockdown saw this postponed. So when this short form of cricket got the go-ahead from government in mid-September, players dusted off their cricket bats and sucked in their bellies for a wild weekend of finals.

It was the first time some people had played cricket, or indeed exercised, in months. Some took the games seriously but many chose to just enjoy the matches and invited family and friends to come watch at Marks Park Sports Club.

Archers also gave it their all in the Gauteng Target Championships in February and March.

Nothing was left in the quiver when archers from the Czech Republic and Slovakia entered to help prepare for the Tokyo Olympics (which was later postponed to next year) in another exciting event at Marks Park.

This also saw a good turnout of archers who had prosthetic limbs or were in wheelchairs.

Showjumping, eventing and dressage shows were also highly entertaining at Fourways Riding Centre in Timsrand, and Ezethu’s The Riders Series in Blue Hills brought some of the best show jumpers to one place every odd month.

Even after equestrian sports were re-opened with strict Covid-19 protocols, horse riders showed they had lost none of their touch even when shows were held with limited capacity and few spectators were allowed.

The supportive atmosphere, kind attitudes of people and lovely horses at these shows always make them a treat.